Students at the Criminal Justice Academy at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. High School were honored Tuesday (May 17) for their completion of the program.
Earlier this year, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. High School launched a first of its kind Criminal Justice Academy to educate students about the criminal justice system thanks to a $55,000 youth workforce development grant from the Lower 9th Ward Economic Development District.
This grant was secured with help from Louisiana state legislators Senator Dr. Joseph Bouie, Jr. and Representative Candace N. Newell from the state. Courses are designed to introduce students to civil service, with a focus on prevention and intervention in the criminal justice system. This program, which also prepares students for the civil service exam, includes dual enrollment courses in partnership with Southern University New Orleans, and utilized a pre-approved curriculum provided by JUMP Start. SUNO helped to provide instructors and set up a criminal justice lab on the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. High School campus. .
“The Criminal Justice Academy is something that the city of New Orleans needs,” said Felice Brightman, Criminal Justice Academy Coordinator. “This program has created a pipeline for students to enter straight into the workforce after high school. I’m forever grateful to all of our partners who helped to make this happen.”
